Removable supporting attachment for golf shoes



Nov. 23, 1965 J. P. O'BRIEN 3,218,734

REMOVABLE SUPPORTING ATTACHMENT FOR GOLF SHOES Filed Sept. 20, 1963 INVENTOR.

FIE-6 6 John P Q'Br'z'en/ @mm,%f JZMM United States Patent 3,218,734 REMOVABLE SUPPORTING ATTACHMENT FOR GULF SHOES John I. OBrien, 6230 N. Kenmore, Chicago, Ill. Filed Sept. 20, 1963, Ser. No. 310,249 6 Ciaims. (Cl. 362.5)

This invention relates to an improved means for use in combination with a golf shoe whereby the individual wearing the shoe will tend to improve his score.

It is well known that most individuals could play an improved game if they could develop a proper and consistent swing. Many articles and books have been written which indicate the proper form for a golf swing and, therefore, most individuals could play better golf if they could adopt the suggestions and develop consistency in their use.

One major factor preventing widespread development of proper techniques concerns the inability of most individuals to find the time and facilities for practice. Thus, it is another recognized fact that a proper golf swing and consistent use thereof can usually only be developed if long hours of practice are undertaken.

There are also certain physical factors which are unique to individual golfers which prevent improvement in scores. accordingly, it is extremely desirable to most golfers to acquire aids which would tend to overcome physical inadequacies, and which would tend to improve their score.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a means adapted to be used in combination with conventional golf shoes which will tend to improve the score of an individual employing such means.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a means for association with a golf shoe which will tend to restrict the swing of a golfer whereby the swing will fall into a more proper pattern to thereby increase the likelihood of hitting the golf ball in the manner desired.

It is a further particular object of this invention to provide a unique means to be associated with a golf shoe which will facilitate acquisition of a proper golf swing to, therefore, decrease the necessity for long hours of practice and to also tend to overcome physical inadequacies of certain individuals.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, specific embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a golf shoe having the improved means of this invention associated therewith;

FIGURE 2 is a front end perspective view of the golf shoe shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view illustrating the bottom of a golf shoe including the means of this invention;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the means of this invention as it appears in association with a golf shoe;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken about the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view taken about the line 6-6 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of an alternative form of the means of this invention; and

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken about the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

The means of this invention is particularly designed for association with any conventional golf shoe having spikes on the sole thereof. The unique means comprises a support which is to be associated adjacent the outer edge of the right shoe for a right-hand golfer or the left shoe for a left-hand golfer. Accordingly, the support is associated with the back shoe relative to the intended direction of the golf ball to be hit by the wearer of the shoe.

3,218,734 Patented Nov. 23, 1965 The support means preferably comprises an integral member which includes a triangularly shaped portion and which defines a ground engaging face and a shoe engaging face. The cross section of the member is such that the thicker portion of the triangle will be located near the edge of the shoe while the thinner portion will be located inwardly thereof. Accordingly, the support member will provide for an inward tilt of the shoe.

In accordance with the preferred form of this invention, the support is designed whereby it can be quickly removed from the golf shoe. On the other hand, a fastener is provided for holding the support securely in place when the golfer addresses the ball and during the swing. Accordingly, an individual employing the means of this invention can place the support on a shoe when preparing to hit the ball and can then quickly remove the support while walking to the new position of the ball. If the device is used for practice where the golfer hits a plurality of balls from approximately the same location, then there will be no need to remove the support between shots.

The accompanying drawings will provide a specific illustration of the improvement of this invention. FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a golf shoe 10 which includes a sole portion 12 having spikes 14 formed thereon. The support member 16 of this invention is fitted in place on the outer edge of the shoe, this shoe being the right shoe to be worn by a right-handed golfer.

The support member illustrated in FIGURES 3 through 6 comprise a lateral portion 18 and two inwardly extending portions 26 having a triangular cross section. These portions define ground engaging and shoe engaging faces as best illustrated in FIGURE 4. Intermediate the portions 20, there are provided a pair of prongs 22 which extend inwardly from the portion 13. These prongs define an opening 24 between them, and this opening is adapted to receive a shank 26 of a fastener 28 threaded into the sole of the shoe. As illustrated, this fastener is located at the spike location which is immediately in front of the shank.

The fastener 28 may comprise a screw adapted to be threaded into the bore ordinarily provided for a spike. A channel shaped member 30 defines an opening for receiving the screw, and the in-turned walls 32 of this channel shaped member define an opening between this member and the outer surface of the wall. The prongs 22 are adapted to be received in this opening whereby the support 16 can easily slide into place.

As suggested in dotted lines in FIGURE 5, the fastener may comprise a conventional spike 34. The base portion, normally integral with this spike, can serve to define the channel for the prongs 22 by turning the edges inwardly to form walls corresponding to the walls 32.

The member 16 includes an up-turned edge 36 which fits around the outer edge of the sole. Inward movement of the support member 16 is thus limited by means of this edge.

The modification of the invention shown in FIGURES 7 and 8 comprises a support member 38 which is adapted to be more permanently attached to the golf shoe. In this case, an opening 40 defined by this member is adapted to receive a fastener 42 which can be screwed into the appropriate bore for a conventional spike. This design is particularly suitable for a golfer who wishes to use the support only while practicing. The support can be put on the shoe and maintained thereon during the duration of the practicing and then the spike can be replaced when the golf shoes are to be used on the golf course.

The advantage of the support of this invention is largely concerned with the ability of the support to develop in a golfer a more proper and consistent swing. With the support in place, the back shoe is tilted inwardly, and it is believed that this tends to provide a more satisfactory weight distribution when hitting the ball. Furthermore, it has been found that a more desirable pivot will result when a golfer employs this support. Thus, it has long been recognized that many golfers tend to sway during the golf swing rather than to pivot about a more or less stationary vertical line. By providing the means of this invention, it is uncomfortable to move the hips laterally and accordingly, there is a greater natural tendency toward proper pivoting. It will be understood that the back shoe referred to comprises the rearward shoe relative to the intended direction of the line of flight of the golf ball to be hit by a player wearing the shoe.

The modification illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8 is considered advantageous primarily for use in practicing since, in such circumstances, a large number of balls are hit from approximately the same location and a great deal of walking is not required. However, the more readily removable modification is considered to embody clear inventive features for the reason that this modification can be used on the golf course as well as during a practice session. The design of the support permits easy removal and replacement so that the golfer can walk in a comfortable fashion between shots. The use of a spike such as shown at 34 for the fastening means is also important in this regard since the golf shoe will have a natural feel when the support is not in place.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other means could be employed for removably attaching the support to a golf shoe in the position shown. In this connection, a bracket could be fixed to the shoe in the desired position and prongs or other extending means associated with the support could fit into this bracket. Thus, a function similar to that referred to with respect to the modification of FIGURES 3 through 6 could be accomplished without the use of a spike. In addition, it is contemplated that an opening for receiving an extension on the support could be formed in the sole of the shoe. Finally, it is contemplated that a support of the nature shown in FIGURE 7 could be formed in whole or in part of magnetized material with the recess in the support being shaped to receive the magnetic spike of a shoe or an independent magnetic means fixed to the shoe. Obviously, any of these configurations embody the concepts of this invention, and other configurations will also be apparent.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the above described structures which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly as defined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a golf shoe of the type including spikes on the sole thereof, the improvement comprising removable sup port means for attachment to the back shoe of the golfer, said back shoe comprising the rearward shoe relative to the direction of the intended line of flight of a ball to be hit by the golfer wearing the shoe, said support means being associated adjacent the outer edge of the shoe in the area of the first spike location forwardly of the shank, said support means being adapted to tilt the shoe inwardly when worn by the golfer, and said support means comprising an integral member including a triangularly shaped portion defining a ground engaging face on one side and a shoe engaging face on the other, and an opening defined by said member for receiving a fastener threaded onto said shoe whereby said member can be held in place on said shoe.

2. A golf shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fastener is slidably received in said opening for quick removal of said member and including an upturned flange portion for engaging the outer periphery of the sole.

3. In a golf shoe of the type including spikes on the sole thereof, the improvement comprising a removable support means for attachment to the back shoe of the golfer, said back shoe comprising the rearward shoe relative to the direction of the intended line of flight of a ball to be hit by the golfer wearing the shoe, said support means being associated adjacent the outer edge of the shoe in the area of the first spike location forwardly of the shank, said support means being adapted to tilt the shoe inwardly when worn, and including means for sliding the support means on and off said shoe, said support means comprising an integral member including a triangularly shaped portion defining a ground engaging face on one side and a shoe engaging face on the other, the means for sliding the support on and off the shoe including prongs defined by said member and a fastener on said shoe adapted to receive said prongs for holding the support on the shoe, said fastener comprising a spike having a circular base and a threaded member extending away from the base for receipt in a threaded bore integral with said shoe, and a channel opening defined between said base and the bottom of said shoe for receiving said prongs, said base being provided with inwardly turned edge portions which engage the bottom of said shoe and which act to define said channel opening.

4. In a golf shoe of the type including spikes on the sole thereof, the improvement comprising a removable support means for attachment to the back shoe of the golfer, said back shoe comprising the rearward shoe relative to the direction of the intended line of flight of a ball to be hit by the golfer wearing the shoe, said support means being associated adjacent the outer edge of the shoe in the area of the first spike location forwardly of the shank, said support means defining a bottom face on one side for engagement with the ground, and a top face on an opposite side for disposition adjacent the bottom surface of the shoe, the location of said support means operating to tilt the shoe inwardly when worn, and including means for sliding the support means on and off saidshoe, said last mentioned means comprising an opening defined by said support means, and a fastener attached to said shoe comprising means adapted to be received in said opening for releasably holding the support on the shoe whereby the support can readily slide on and off a shoe.

5. A golf shoe in accordance with claim 4 wherein the means for sliding the support on and off the shoe include prongs defined by said member and a fastener on said shoe adapted to receive said prongs for holding the support on the shoe.

6. A golf shoe in accordance with claim 4 wherein said fastener comprises a spike having a circular base and a threaded member extending away from the base for receipt in a threaded bore integral with said shoe, and a channel opening defined between said base and the bottom of said shoe for receiving said prongs.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,078,626 4/1937 Bauer 36-107 2,095,095 10/1937 Howard 36107 2,179,942 11/1939 Lyne 36-67.5 X 2,482,930 9/ 1949 Norwood 36-107 2,722,062 11/1955 Phillips 36-67.S X 2,847,769 8/ 1958 Schlesinger 36-107 3,082,549 3/1963 Dolceamore 362.5

FRANK J. COHEN, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A GOLF SHOE OF THE TYPE INCLUDING SPIKES ON THE SOLE THEREOF, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING REMOVABLE SUPPORT MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE BACK SHOE OF THE GOLFER, SAID BACK SHOE COMPRISING THE REARWARD SHOE RELATIVE TO THE DIRECTION OF THE INTENDED LINE OF FLIGHT OF A BALL TO BE HIT BY THE GOLFER WEARING THE SHOE, SAID SUPPORT MEANS BEING ASSOCIATED ADJACENT THE OUTER EDGE OF THE SHOE IN THE AREA OF THE FIRST SPIKE LOCATION FORWARDLY OF THE SHANK, SAID SUPPORT MEANS BEING ADPATED TO TILT THE SHOE INWARDLY WHEN WORN BY THE GOLFER, AND SAID SUPPORT MEANS COMPRISING AN INTEGRAL MEMBER INCLUDING A TRIANGULARLY SHAPED PORTION DEFINING A GROUND ENGAGING FACE ON ONE SIDE AND A SHOE ENGAGING FACE ON THE OTHER, AND AN OPENING DEFINED BY SAID MEMBER FOR RECEIVING A FASTENER THREADED ONTO SAID SHOE WHEREBY SAID MEMBER CAN BE HELD IN PLACE ON SAID SHOE. 